On top of the world
"I want to propose to my girlfriend!"
Evan said "picnic, legos and a surprise proposal"--excuse me? Say less!
A few years prior, I actually had the honor of capturing his own mother's engagement at Kingwood Center Gardens. So finding this little detail out was the cherry on the cake--or, in the spirit of this particular proposal, the wine in the glass.
Mt. Jeez Overlook
The View is Worth the Drive!
If you want that classic rolling-Ohio-countryside view, Mt. Jeez delivers. On a clear day, the overlook gives you views stretching across up to five counties: Richland, Ashland, Knox, Holmes, and Morrow. And because the scenery changes so much with the seasons, there really isn’t a bad time to visit.
A Photographer's Playground
There’s a reason Mt. Jeez has become one of the more photographed overlooks in the area. You get wide-open countryside, trees, changing skies and gorgeous light all in one spot, which makes it ridiculously easy to find a pretty backdrop whether you're taking engagement photos, family pictures, senior portraits, or just trying to make your vacation photos look like you actually planned them.
Date-Night Spot
Mt. Jeez is also a surprisingly good place to slow down for a while. Take the drive up, wander around, watch the sunset and enjoy the view together. It's the kind of place where you don't really need an itinerary—which, honestly, is sometimes the best kind of date.
Side quest:
Mt. Jeez is part of the larger Malabar Farm State Park experience, so you can easily turn a quick stop at the overlook into an entire afternoon of exploring, hiking and taking in the countryside.
Sounds Beautiful but...
I thought you'd never ask...
Well, actually, I thought Evan would never ask! 🤣
I arrived about 15 minutes earlier than they did so I'd look like just another visitor. I hung out in my car with my camera gear ready to go, not knowing 100% where Evan would actually throw down the picnic at. I just hoped I was in the best spot--and I was.
When they arrived, I played it cool. They made multiple passes by my car and I just ignored it to the best of my ability. Evan had told me in advance they'd be building a lego set and that he planned to tuck the ring in one of the lego sets. I am still uncertain if this is where it was or not because I was a decent distance away from them despite being directly across the lawn from them.
Time passed by... five, ten, fifteen minutes... thirty minutes... forty-five minutes... I'm pretty sure I waited an entire hour before he actually got on one knee and asked the question. However, I was still ready! Aaaaand, YES! She said YES!
